Archive for the ‘Guest Ranch News’ Category

Adults Enjoy our Colorado Ranch

Tuesday, September 7th, 2010

We’ve just wrapped up two Adults Only weeks at our Creede Colorado Guest Ranch. They couldn’t have been better.

The end of August saw guests lounging by the pool and relaxing in our spectacular hot springs. Some guests enjoyed a round of golf at nearby Rio Grande Club, while others indulged in massages right here at the ranch. Guests spent their days hiking, mountain biking, and out on long trail rides; and just about everyone spent time fly fishing. Each evening the lottery for fishing spots included a lot of laughter and good cheer.

It’s a good thing we all stay so active here at our Colorado Dude Ranch, because Chef Wray Warner and his crew keep us exceptionally well fed with succulent dishes featuring duck, venison, and lamb. We all enjoyed the homemade empanadas and margaritas at the Wednesday Mexican buffet by the pool, and the steak ride on Thursday evening. The fried rainbow trout at Station 15 on Friday was out of this world. We all savored each bite.

Doesn't it look good?

There are no more Adults Only Weeks in 2010, but if you think that sounds like your type of Dude Ranch Vacation, they’ll be back in 2011.

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Colorado Guest Ranch -A Week for Adults Only

Tuesday, August 10th, 2010

We love children. One of the best aspects of each season at our Colorado Guest Ranch is watching children grow and thrive: splashing in the pool, riding horses, and angling. Since many of our guests return year after year, we are able to watch young children transform into confident young adults. It’s wonderful.

Tranquility at our Colorado Guest Ranch.

That said, we understand that adults sometimes crave a little “adult-only” time; and it is with this thought in mind that we offer two “Adults Only” weeks at our Colorado Dude Ranch – the weeks of August 21 and August 28, 2010.

Whether you are parents looking for a week alone with your spouse, parents looking to reconnect with grown children, or non-parents looking for a fun retreat, you’ll find it at 4UR during the last two weeks of August.

You won’t be woken at 5 am when your children wiggle their way between you and your spouse. You won’t be caught in splash fights in the pool. You can stay up late, chatting with friends over drinks, and sleep in late. Spend the day with a book by the pool, go for a long, strenuous hike up a mountain, or lose yourself in a reverie while angling on Goose Creek. The choice is yours, and yours alone.

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4UR Guest Ranch is on Facebook!

Wednesday, May 5th, 2010

Just in case you haven’t heard already, the 4UR family dude ranch is now on Facebook! We like to talk about the little things that are happening at the ranch and also to the staff here. It is a great way to keep in touch, share 4UR memories, and exchange stories about your dude ranch vacations.

"Like" us on Facebook!

We would love for all of you to become fans of the 4UR ranch, or as Facebook is calling it now, “Like” us. This is also a great place for you to keep in touch with the friends you meet and make while on your horseback riding vacation.

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Who You’ll Meet: The Guest Ranch Staff

Thursday, April 8th, 2010

There will be quite a few amazing people at the ranch pretty soon. I’m not just talking about our wonderful guests and the families who haven chosen us to host their horseback riding vacations for several generations. There will also be several dozen great college students taking care of your children, serving your meals and insuring that your vacation is safe, fun and relaxing.

The real roots of the 4UR Ranch are our core staff; we rely on them make people’s Rocky Mountain vacations unforgettable.

Aaron and Robin Christensen, the unstoppable couple who manages the ranch year-round and knows this valley’s nooks and crannies. It is their expertise and wonderful operational skills that keep our valley healthy and help us be stewards of this land for the next generation.

Our head guide Andy Lee, who will help you take advantage of the many activities to be enjoyed during your family ranch vacation. He knows depths about Goose Creek, our private tailwaters, that are ideal for catching large, glimmering trout.

Wray Warner, our head chef. He will keep your appetite satisfied while making sure you enjoy exceptionally prepared and delicious food.

Damon Gibbons, our head wrangler. He has helped 4UR Ranch become not only a one-of-a-kind fly fishing lodge, but an exciting and well-run Colorado dude ranch. His practice of natural horsemanship allows all of us to learn from our horses, while we become better riders. He helps to guide a wonderful youth riding program.

And of course Kathy Adleman, who makes our front desk run smoothly and shares her great knowledge about the ranch and our area with curious callers.

Thank you to all of you that give every guest a great experience at the 4UR, and we look forward to another amazing season with you.

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Adult Only Dude Ranch Weeks

Wednesday, January 27th, 2010

What can you look forward to when you plan a dude ranch vacation during one of 4UR’s adult only weeks? Well, if it were my vacation, this is what the day would go like:

Sleep in. No kids jumping on the bed, leisurely drinking coffee and wandering up to breakfast. Most difficult decision of the day so far: eggs or granola and yogurt?
Finish breakfast almost in time for lunch. Head to the pool for a swim and some sunning. Read a book, drink a Corona, and catch a nap even.

Catch a big one during Adult only weeks at 4UR

Get ready for steak ride. One of my favorite rides at 4UR guest ranch, this would be even more of a hoot as an adults-only affair, I can imagine! A nice ride up the valley to a perfect spot for a cook-out dinner with cold beers, tasty wine and fine cocktails. I remember this night as being a very special one during a horseback riding vacation for families – songs around the campfire after dinner, all that jazz. But I can imagine how it would turn into a party during adults only weekend!

4UR ranch is always a peaceful place, but it takes on a whole new level of serene when it’s just us grownups. If you happen to have a grandparent or friend available for babysitting the weeks of Aug. 21 or Aug. 28, come out and relax with us in style.

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Adults Only Guest Ranch Weeks

Tuesday, December 29th, 2009

4UR isn’t holding any family ranch vacations right now, but we do have special times allotted this summer for those with kids and those that are looking for a bit of solace from the hustle and bustle of children. Look forward to the last two weeks in August being adult only weeks for Rocky mountain vacations at 4UR. The ranch is always a place where peace and quiet can be found, but sometimes it is good to have a little grown-up time, where you can let your hair down and enjoy the hot springs and swimming pool without any floaty toys in the water with you.

Interior of the Lodge

Interior of the Lodge

Dining has always been an important aspect of our Western vacations. We actually open up our dining room to non-4UR guests from Creede, so that if they want to have some fine dining they don’t have to drive all the way to Denver! This can be a wonderful time during adult only week to share some fine wine and food with your travel companions and the new friends you will meet at the ranch. Swap fishing stories, hiking favorites, and enjoy a relaxing dip in the natural hot springs before you retire to your comfortable cabin.

Take the time to find your peace of mind through the variety of great activities we have at the ranch. Fly fishing might be your tonic: the cool gurgle of Goose Creek is sure to soothe. For me personally, there is little more relaxing than getting on horseback and taking to the trails. The rhythm of the animal’s movements always allows me to think, and get outside myself for a while.

Whatever it may be, come to 4UR for an adults only dude ranch vacation and find a little peace of mind.

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Guest Ranch Fishing Guide in Local News

Friday, December 11th, 2009
Drew Silvernail may help you catch the big one this summer!

Drew Silvernail may help you catch the big one this summer!

Our very own Drew Silvernail was featured in an article in AL.com, a web site covering local Alabama news. This is his home state and they were interested to hear how he had fallen in love with fly fishing in the Rockies.
He came to us to assist as a fly fishing guide for our Rocky Mountain Vacations over the summer, and was a great asset. He has stayed on to help out a little on the ranch and assist Aaron with the boys basketball team.  He is also coaching the pee wee basketball team. The story covers his experience and education in Alabama, and his first experience fly fishing in Alaska. It is quite an exciting story, and we don’t blame him for falling in love with the art of the fly rod! We try to share these same kind of exciting and unforgettable experiences during our summer Western Vacations, both on the stream and elsewhere on the ranch.

We are happy that Drew is still with us, and look forward to another summer with him during family ranch vacation season. He is great with the kids. You can see the article on Drew here.

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Preparations for Family Ranch Vacations

Monday, December 7th, 2009

Aaron and the guys just finished an extensive facelift on Station #7. The changes will create more holding water, and we are all excited to see what affect the changes will have on guest ranch fishing next year.

Cozy 4UR Rooms with new matresses and linens

Cozy 4UR Rooms with new mattresses and linens

On the other end of things, we are taking care of all the lovely amenities you have come to expect during your horseback riding vacations at 4UR Ranch: new linens and a new finish on the pool. It will be extra sparkling blue next summer!

Speaking of new improvements and changes for 4UR, did you know we have a Facebook page now? We also just began importing our blog posts into the page, so you can look both on the Facebook page or here to keep up with the winter in Creede.

We attended the Colorado Dude and Guest Ranch Association (CDGRA) convention last month. It was a great time to reconnect with other Ranchers in the area, as well as learning a lot of valuable information.

On a personal note, the guys are playing basketball during these cold winter months to stay entertained. It is now about 0-10 degrees in the morning, and the cold weather is making the horses quite sassy!

We hope that all of you had a wonderful Thanksgiving, and we will keep you posted on new things happening at our Colorado Dude Ranch over the winter.

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Guest Ranch Resource Management

Monday, November 23rd, 2009

A week ago Damon had a meeting with the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) to discuss a new stlye of land management at our Colorado Dude Ranch. This fall we began experimenting with Holistic Resource Management, a high-density, short-duration, rotational approach to pasture management that can increase land productivity, and, as recent studies have proved, increase the food available to trout.

We are committed to keeping our stream healthy for generations to come

We are committed to keeping our stream healthy for generations to come

We hope to work with the NRCS and a local natural beef producer, Gil Motta on our new ideas to keep Dude Ranch Vacations at Wagon Wheel Gap natural, sustainable and healthy.

We will keep you updated on more about this project as it comes into maturity.

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Our Family Dude Ranch now a Member of the Dude Ranchers’ Association

Thursday, November 5th, 2009

We are pleased to announce that 4UR Guest Ranch is now a member of the Dude Ranchers’ Association (DRA). This national group has over 100 members and 150 associate members. They are committed to ensuring a great Dude Ranch vacations, and all members go through a rigorous two – year inspection and application process. Horseback riding vacations are just one aspect of a great guest ranch experience; warm personable hospitality and great service are also essential for every ranch. The highest quality lodging industry standards are a requirement of every member as well. Hence the DRA slogan, “Horses, Hats and Hospitality”. As they see it, these should be a part of every ranch.

4UR Ranch now a Member

4UR Ranch now a Member

The DRA also promotes western vacations by continuing to build a strong working relationship with Federal and State land agencies in order to preserve and protect parks, forests and wildlife. Here at the 4UR, we know all about that. Our seven miles of pristine creek, which flows from the Weminuche Wilderness, is lovingly managed by Ranch Manager Aaron Christenson and Head Guide Andy Lee. They take extreme care to keep our creek the perfect place for large, healthy trout to flourish.

We are so glad to now be a member of the DRA, and hope that you will choose to come see us for a Rocky Mountains Vacation this summer. We can promise horses, hats, hospitality and history.

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